How to Repair Outdoor Faucets
- 1). Locate the main water shutoff, and shut off water to the house.
- 2). Open the faucet and let water drain out.
- 3). Loosen the packing nut completely, using the pliers or the wrench. The packing nut is the large nut at the base of the faucet shaft, opposite the handle. There is no need to remove the faucet handle.
- 4). Remove the shaft from the faucet body, turning the faucet handle counterclockwise.
- 5). Unscrew the retaining screw and remove the washer at the base of the shaft.
- 6). Find a washer that matches the existing one in size and shape, and screw this new washer in place. Tighten ¼ turn past finger-tight. Take care not to overtighten the screw, as this will deform the washer and interfere with proper sealing.
- 7). Screw the shaft back into place by turning it clockwise as far as it will go.
- 8). Tighten the packing nut finger-tight, and then tighten an extra ¼ turn, using your wrench or pliers.
- 9). Turn on the water and check for leaks. If the faucet leaks around the packing nut, tighten the packing nut until the leak stops. Do not overtighten the packing nut; this will make the faucet hard to operate, and will lead to increased wear and eventual leakage.
